National AIDS Control Organisation forms Largest Human Red Ribbon Chain in Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneswar

Tags: State News

On 19 January 2023 Odisha State AIDS Control Society organised an awareness program on HIV AIDS in coordination with the Department of Sports and Youth Services and Hockey India under the leadership of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).

An overview of the news

• The event created the 'Largest Human Red Ribbon Chain' at the East Gallery of the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• The event was attended by 4,800 students from various schools, Red Ribbon Club members from colleges, civil society and participants from Mission Shakti Department.

• Odisha has a low HIV prevalence in the state, with an adult prevalence of 0.14% and an estimated 52,108 people living with HIV (PLHIV), according to government data.

• Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 has been set to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

• To achieve this goal, awareness activities are being strengthened among the general public as well as high-risk groups in Odisha about the services offered under the leadership of the National AIDS Control Programme.

National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)

• Established in 1992, NACO is a division of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programs in India through 35 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Societies.

• Along with drug control authorities, NACO also provides joint oversight of blood bank licensing, blood donation activities, and transfusion transmitted infection testing and reporting.

• NACO also makes HIV estimates biennially (every 2 years) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Medical Statistics (NIMS).